Electromechanical energy conversion device

ABSTRACT

An electromechanical energy conversion device including a magnetic field source and armature structure movable relative to one another, said device being adapted to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy as the field and armature travel relative to one another along a given path and to simultaneously convert electrical energy to mechanical energy to facilitate said travel.

United States Patent 91 De Rugeris ELECTROMECHANICAL ENERGY CONVERSIONDEVICE [76] Inventor: John De Rugeris, 695 Kenneth Avenue, Campbell,Calif. 95008 [22] Filed: Feb. 3, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 153,462

[52] U.S.Cl. ..310/l68,3l0/1l4, 310/172,

310/198 [51] Int. Cl. ..l-l02k 17/42 [58] Field of Search ..310/68, 166,168,

310/169,170,114,17-l,l72,112,l82,l83, 184,179, 180, 188, 197, 198, 201,203, 207

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 10/1970 De Rugeris ..310/114Bottrell ..310/207 Apr. 17, 1973 3,046,471 7/ 1967 Williams ..310/1 123,335,307 8/1967 Levy ..310/185 3,167,700 l/l965 Neyhouse .310/1663,237,036 2/1966 Konig ..310/198 3,179,828 4/1965 Apking ..310/197Primary ExaminerR. Skudy An0rney-Thonias E. Schatzel and Claude A. S.Hamrick [5 7 ABSTRACT An electromechanical energy conversion device including a magnetic field source and armature structure movable relativeto one another, said device being adapted to convert mechanical energyto electrical energy as the field and armature travel relative to oneanother along a given path and to simultaneously convert electricalenergy to mechanical energy to facilitate said travel.

17 Claims, 1 1 Drawing Figures PATENTEU APR 1 7 7 SHEET 1 OF 6vINVENTOR- JOHN De RUGER'IS ATTORNEY PATENT-EU APR 1 1 m SHEET t 0F 6PAIENTEDW mu saw 5 [IF 6 PATENI APR 1 71975 sum 5 [1F 6 U. LL.

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2 mm .mm mm I: 4 3 3 ATTORNEY ELECTROMECIIANICAL ENERGY CONVERSIONDEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION various forms including rotatingmachinery, relays, l0

switches, transformers, etc. The present invention, in one application,provides for improved devices for generating alternating currentvoltage. In most electricity generating devices electric currents areproduced in coils of electrically conductive material by the relativemotion of a set of such coils known as the armature and a magneticfield. The magnetic field may be produced by an electromagnet orpermanent magnetic such that the magnetic force lines of the latterintersect or are intersected by the turns of the armature coils. Toincrease the electrically-generating effect of the magnetic field uponthe turns of the armature coils, such coils are usually provided withcores of iron or other material of lesser magnetic reluctance than airto concentrate the magnetic field into the immediate vicinity of thecoils to cause a greater number of force lines to be intersected by theturns of the armature coils during relative rotation of the armature andfield structures. The relative movement of said devices is maintained byincorporation of a prime mover to drive either the armature or thefield. It is a common criteria of such devices to achieve highefficiency. Such efficiency may be referred to as the ratio of theoutput power to the required input power.

The prior art includes various electricity generating machines andalternators available for converting mechanical energy to electricalenergy. For example, such an alternator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,535,572 issued to the present inventor on Oct. 20, 1970.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improvedelectromechanical energy conversion device adapted to provide a highlyfavorable efficiency. Further objectives include provision of deviceseconomical to manufacture and of compact size.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention provides animproved electromechanical energy conversion device and moreparticularly a highly efficient device which may be compactly structuredand economically manufactured.

The present invention is adapted to simultaneously incorporate theconverting of mechanical energy to electrical energy and electricalenergy to mechanical energy. The devices simultaneously generate anelectrical energy across windings under the influence of the field whilecreating a magnetic field at advanced positions of the armature .to urgethe rotor along its path of travel. The device includes an armaturestructure and a field assembly movable relative to one another. Thefield assembly is arranged along an axial plane with poles of onedenomination concentrated adjacent to one another and axially offsetrelative to poles of the other denomination which are also concentratedadjacent to one another. The armature structure incorporates a pair ofassemblies, with each assembly being positioned adjacent to the relativepath of travel of the field poles of a common denomination. Each of thearmature assemblies include a plurality of equi-spaced armature polespositioned adjacent to the relative path of travel. Each of saidarmature poles of each assembly are magnetically joined in common to anarmature pole of the opposite armature assembly. The armature assemblieseach include a plurality of main winding coils. Each main winding coilencompasses a plurality of poles to form a primary armature pole suchthat a plurality of equi-spaced primary armature poles are establishedadjacent to the relative path of travel. The main winding coils ofalternate primary armature poles are electrically engaged in common suchthat adjacent primary armature poles are of different main windingcircuits. At least one of the main winding circuits about one armatureassembly is electrically common to a main winding circuit of the otherarmature assembly. The electrically common main windings at one armatureassembly are radially advanced relative to the alignment of the fieldand common main windings at the other armature assembly. Encompassingwindings, encompassing poles of adjacent primary armature poles areincluded and adapted to supplement or counter the magnetic fluxintensity at associated armature poles. Accordingly, electrical pulsesare induced in the main windings as the flux from the field passes themain winding with alternate pulses induced in the windings being ofopposite relative polarity. Simultaneously, poles preceding the rotoralong the path of travel establish a magnetic attraction to the rotorand poles succeeding the rotor along the path of travel establish amagnetic repulsion to the rotor.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the device is inthe form of an alternator. The alternator comprises sets ofseries-connected coils which form individual generating circuits. Thearmature and field structures are rotatable relative to one anotherabout a common axis of rotation establishing a common orbit of relativerotation. At least one of the generating circuits include windingsspaced from each other in the direction of the axis of rotation of therotor. The field structure, which may comprise permanent magnets orelectromagnets, establishes a sequence of magnetic north primary polesand a sequence of magnetic south primary poles. The poles of oppositedenomination are spaced from each other along the axis of rotation, i.e.the pole pieces at one end of the magnetic structure are all north polesand the pole pieces on the other end of said structure are all southpoles. The pole pieces of the same denomination are equi-spaced relativeto each other along the orbit of relative rotation. The north poles areangularly displaced relative to the south poles along the orbit ofrelative rotation. The armature structure further includes a pluralityof magnetic circuits each comprising a plurality of individual magneticpaths extending intermediate the orbits of relative rotation of thenorth and south primary poles with opposite ends displaced relative toeach other along the orbit of relative rotation. Accordingly, thewindings on each side of the armature may be influenced by pole piecesof each denomination. Each generating circuit may include a plurality ofmain coil windings or/and encompassing coil windings. The main coilwindings are positioned to intersect the force lines of the adjacentfield. The encompassing coil windings are connected to encompass partsof adjacent armature poles and to establish a field which momentarilyaids a main winding coil of a first circuit and momentarily opposes amain winding coil of another circuit. The main windings are arrangedsuch that adjacent main coil windings are of different circuits. Thearrangement of the armature structure and field structure are such thateach main coil winding momentarily generates a magnetic force firstattracting the field towards the pole and then as the field passes thepole momentarily generating a magnetic force repelling the field toprovide a push-pull effect on the rotor. Simultaneously, within eachcoil winding there is generated alternating signals which may bedelivered to an electrical load. The encompassing windings generatealternating signals momentarily simultaneously aiding the field of onemain winding while collapsing the field of an adjacent main winding. Theencompassing windings reverse in operation to collapse the field of thefirst main winding and aid the other as the rotor advances. Theencompassing windings may also be tied to an electrical load. The northand south poles of the field structure are angularly displaced relativeto the generating circuits such that whenever a field pole of onedenomination passes one of the main winding portions of an armaturepole, the immediate preceding pole of the other denomination is at leastunder the influence of a main winding of another circuit. In this mannerthe generating circuits each provide alternating voltages which may ormay not be in phase. Simultaneously, the armature poles associated withthe windings establish a changing magnetic denomination to provide analternately push-pull action on the rotor to facilitate rotation of therotor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective, partiallysectioned view of an alternator incorporating the teachings of thepresent invention;

FIG. 1A is an end view about one end of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1B is an end view about the other end of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the rotor of the alternator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1D is a perspective view of a section of the armature of thealternator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 withthe windings interconnected to provide two output signals;

FIG. 2A is a pair of signal waveforms illustrating the signals generatedby the circuits of the structure of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 withthe windings joined in an alternative relationship to provide threeoutput signals;

FIG. 4A and 4B is a diagrammatic end perspective view of the embodimentof FIG. 3 to illustrate the winding of the coils about the armatureassemblies; and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 withthe winding coils joined in an alternative relationship to provide threeoutput signals.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 FIG. 2A depict andillustrate an electromechanical energy conversion device in the form ofan alternator, referred to by the general reference character 1incorporating the teachings of the present invention. The alternator lis adapted to generate an alternating current voltage. The alternator 1incorporates a field structure in the form of a rotor referred to by thegeneral reference character 3 and an armature structure in the form ofan annular stator structure referred to by the general referencecharacter 5. The rotor 3 has a central shaft 7 rotatable about a commonaxis of rotation 8 and supporting a plurality of individual primaryfield poles inthe form of U-shaped permanent magnets 9A, 9B and 9C. Thepermanent magnets designated 9A, 9B and 9C each carry a primary northfield pole N and a primary south field pole S. The permanent magnets 9A,9B and 9C are positioned such that all north field poles are assembledadjacent to one another, in an assembly with the poles equally spacedradially about the shaft 7. The south field poles S are assembledadjacent one another in an assembly with the poles equally spacedradially about the shaft 7. In the rotor 3, the poles are spaced a part.The south field pole of each permanent magnet 9 is radially displacedrelative to the preceding north. field pole about the common orbit ofrotation by an angle 0, the value of which is hereinafter discussed.Each of the U- shaped magnets 9A, 9B and 9C includes a cross bar 10integral with the north and south poles of each magnet. Each cross bar10 extends parallel to the axis of rotation 8 with a radial advancementof the angle 9. The faces of all of the north and south field poles arepreferably of the same dimensions. The field assembly 3 includes aplurality of shorting rings 10A. The rings 10A about each field assemblyare interconnected by magnetic conductive bars 10B to establish aplurality of magnetic circuits about each field pole of each fieldassembly.

The annular armature structure 5 is arranged with an armature assemblyabout the orbital path of the north primary field poles of the rotor 3and an armature assembly about the orbital path of the south primaryfield poles of the rotor 3. The armature structure 5 includes aplurality of magnetic flux return paths ll interconnecting the armatureassemblies and spanning the individual orbital paths of rotation of thenorth and south primary field poles. The magnetic flux return paths 11are in the form of a plurality of stacks of individual laminations l3and 14 of magnetic material. The laminations 13 and 14 are urgedtogether in stacks. The laminations 13 and 14 are each of U-shapespanning across the rotor field structure 3 intermediate the orbitalpaths of the north and south poles. The laminations 13 and 14 each havea face 15 and 17 at opposite ends with the faces 15 adjacent the orbitalpath of the north primary field poles and the faces 17 adjacent to theorbital path of the south primary field poles of the rotor 3. The faces15 and 17 of the laminations 13 are interconnected with the pole face 17advanced relative to the pole face 15 about the common orbit of rotationby an angle (1). The pole faces 15 and 17 of the laminations 14 areinterconnected with the pole face 17 advanced relative to the immediatepreceding pole face 15 by approximately the angle 0. The laminations 13and 14 are assembled in units such that the faces 15 establish aplurality of individual armature poles adjacent to the orbital path ofthe north primary field poles and the faces 17 establish a plurality ofindividual armature poles adjacent to the orbital path of the southprimary field poles. Each stack of laminations common to one of thearmature poles assembled about the north primary poles is in part commonto one of the annature poles assembled about the south primary fieldpole advanced by the angle and in part common to one of the armaturepoles assembled about the south primary field pole advanced by the angle(11. Thus, each armature pole about the north primary field poleassembly is in part magnetically common to two advanced south armaturepoles. The various laminations are supported in position about each endby a pair of slotted rings 18 and 19 coaxial with the axis of rotation8. The rings 18 and 19 are preferably comprised of nonmagnetic material.Each of the rings 18 and 19 respectively carry a plurality of slots 20and 21 to receive the laminations 13 and 14. The faces of thelaminations extend beyond the inner periphery of the rings to terminateadjacent to the orbital path of rotation of the north and south primaryfield poles. The extensions of the laminations are adapted to receivevarious armature winding coils, as hereinafter discussed. Intermediateeach armature pole is an insulative medium which may be in the form ofair or other desired insulative material. The shaft 7 of the rotorstructure 3 is fitted to a pair of bearings 22 supported by a frame 23encompassing the armature structure 5. The frame 23 and bearings 22provide physical support and guidance of the rotor 3 and armature topermit relative rotation.

FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates the device 1 assuming the apparatusis extended over a horizontal plane. The laminations l3 and 14 of thearmature structure 5 are such that a first armature assembly includessix primary armature poles A, B, C, D, E and F assembled about theorbital path of the north primary field poles and a second armatureassembly includes six primary armature poles AA, BB, CC, DD, EE and FFassembled about the path of the south primary field poles. Each primaryarmature pole comprises three cores with an insulative mediumintermediate adjacent cores. The cores are arranged for reception ofwinding coils such that the intermediate core of each primary armaturepole may be viewed as a shade pole. The field pole pieces 9A, 9B and 9Care represented by bars of sufficient angular width to span a primaryarmature pole, i.e. three consecutive armature core structures. Asillustrated the primary armature pole A of the first armature assemblycomprises three annular core structures A, A", A'; the primary armaturepole B comprises three annular core structures B, B, and B; etc. Theprimary armature pole AA of the second armature assembly comprises threeannular core structures AA, AA" and AA'; the primary armature pole BBcomprises three annular armature core structures BB, BB, and BB; etc.Intermediate each primary armature pole is an isolative pole. The firstarmature assembly includes a plurality of isolative poles G, H, I, J, Kand L respectively positioned intermediate poles F and A, A and B, B andC, C and D, D and E, and E and F. The second armature assembly includesa plurality of isolative poles GG, HH, ll, JJ, KK and LL respectfullypositioned intermediate poles FF and AA, AA and BB, BB and CC, CC andDD, DD and EE, EE and FF. The primary armature poles A, B, C, D, E and Fare respectfully in axial alignment with the poles AA, BB, CC, DD, EEand FF. The isolativepoles G, H, I, J, K and L are respectfully in axialalignment with the isolative poles GG, HH, II, JJ, KK and LL. All corestructures and isolative poles are of uniform width and spacing with thewidth of the core structures corresponding to the width of theintermediate spacings. The core structures and isolative poles areinsulated from one another by means of insulative material within thespacing intermediate each core structure and isolative pole. A relativeorbit of rotation is established about the first armature assembly aboutthe outer periphery of the north poles of the magnets 9A,- 9B and 9C andthe terminus of the armature cores and isolative poles. A relative orbitof rotation is also established about the second armature assembly aboutthe outer periphery of the south poles of the magnets 9A, 9B and 9C. Thelaminations comprising the core structures about the first armatureassembly are correspondingly part of a pair of core structures or a corestructure and isolative pole about the second armature assembly toestablish magnetic paths intermediate the armature assemblies. Magneticcircuits are established between the two armature assemblies with commoncircuits established between armature poles of one armature assembly andtwo radially advanced cores or a core and isolative pole about the otherarmature assembly. For example onehalf of the laminations comprising theisolative pole G are common with one-half of the core AA which isadvanced by the angle 0 about the common orbit of rotation. The otherhalf of the laminations of the isolative pole G are common with one-halfof the core AA advanced by the angle d) about the common orbit ofrotation. The laminations 14 of core A are common with the south core AAand the laminations 13 of the core AA are common with the south core A'.The laminations 14 of the core A are common with the other half of thecore AA and the laminations 13 of the core A" are common with one-halfof the isolative pole HR. The laminations 14 of the core A are commonwith the other half of the isolative pole I-Il-I and the laminations 13of the core A' are common to one-half of the core BB. The laminations 14of the isolative pole H are common to the other one-half of the core BBand the laminations 13 of the isolative pole H are common to one-half ofthe core BB.

Alternators of the present invention usually comprise a plurality ofseparate generating circuits. Each generating circuit comprises aplurality of coils connected in a series. About each primary armaturepole A, C and E and each primary armature pole BB, DD and FF of thedevice 1 is a portion of a main winding coil 24 to establish anelectromagnetic action at each of said armature primary poles andassociated cores. About each primary armature pole B, D and F and eachsecondary armature pole AA, CC and EE is a portion of a main windingcoil 25 to establish an electromagnetic action at each of said primaryarmature poles and associated cores. The main winding coils 24 and 25are arranged alternately adjacent to each other along the orbits ofrelative rotation with an isolative pole intermediate adjacent coils 24and 25. The armature structure 5 further carries a first encompassingcoil 26 split into six portions with a first portion encompassing thecores A, A, B, B and isolative pole H; a second portion encompassing thecores AA", A', BB, BB" and isolative pole l-ll-l; a third portionencompassing the cores C, C', D, D" and isolative pole J; a fourthportion encompassing the cores CC", CC, DD, DD" and isolative pole 1.];a fifth portion encompassing the cores E", E', F, F and isolative poleL; and a sixth portion encompassing the cores EE", EE', FF', FF" andisolative pole LL. Thus, each portion of the encompassing winding 26encompasses part of adjacent primary armature poles of differentgenerating circuits. The main coil winding 24 and the encompassing coil26 are tied in series with a pair of terminals 27 and 28 to establish acommon generating circuit. An electrical load may be joined across theterminals 27 and 28. I

The armature structure further carries a second encompassing coil 29split into six portions with a first portion encompassing the cores B",B', C, C" and isolative pole l; a second portion encompassing the coresBB", BB', C, CC" and isolative pole II; a third portion encompassing thecores D", D', E, E" and isolative pole K; a fourth portion encompassingthe cores DD, DD', EE, EE" and isolative pole KK; and a sixth portionencompassing the cores FF", FF"'AA' I and isolative pole GG. Thus, eachportion of the coil 29 encompasses part of adjacent primary armaturepoles of different generating circuits. The main coil 25 and theencompassing coil 29 are tied in series with a pair of terminals 31 and33 to establish a common generating circuit. An electrical load may betied across the terminals 31 and 33.

Accordingly, each core of each primary armature pole is encompassed by amain coil winding and at least one encompassing winding. The mainwindings are arranged to include alternate primary armature poles onopposite sides or assemblies of the armature. The included primaryarmature poles on one side are radially offset relative to the includedpoles on the opposite side. The shade pole of each primary armature poleis encompassed by a coil of one of the main windings24 or 25 and a coilof the encompassing winding 26 and the encompassing winding 29.

The theory of operation of the alternator 1 is believed to be ashereinafter set forth. The field structure 3 serves as a continuousmagnetic flux generating source. With the field structure rotor 3 inrotation the magnetic force lines eminate from the primary north fieldpoles and intersect the armature primary poles and return through thecommon magnetic circuits established by the laminations l3 and 14 to theprimary south field poles. As the flux from the field structure 5 cutsacross the coil sides a voltage is induced in that coil. Voltage isinduced as the flux cuts across the coils when approaching the coil andwhen leaving the coil with the voltages being of opposite relativepolarity. Simultaneously, a voltage is induced in the windings joined inelectrical series such that the associated armature cores tend to becomepolarized to a degree dependant on the induced voltage. The stack oflaminations 13 and 14 establishing the individual cores substantiallyconcentrate the magnetic flux lines within the established magneticpaths. The various common magnetic paths formed by the laminations l3and 14 extend intermediate the two armature assemblies and are radiallyadvanced about the orbital paths with part advanced the angle 0 and partadvanced the angle (5. Accordingly, as the field structure rotatesrelative to the armature structure, the individual cores of each primaryarmature pole are part of the time primarily under the influence ofeither a north or a south field pole and part of the time simultaneouslyunder the influence of poles of both denominations. The dominantinfluence on each primary armature pole is dependent upon the relativeposition of the field and the number of cores of an armature pole underthe influence of a field pole. As

shown in FIG. 2 the angle 0 corresponds both to the angle of advanceabout the orbital path of the south poles relative to the precedingnorth pole of each permanent magnet 9 of the field structure 5 and tothe angle between the leading edge of a core on one armature assemblyand the center of the first radially advanced core on the other armatureassembly. When the north field poles 9A, 9B and 9C are in full alignmentwith the corresponding primary armature poles A, C and E, the associatedsouth field poles 9A, 9B and 9C are relatively radially advanced andcommon to the advanced one-half of the axial opposite secondary polesAA, CC and EE, and the advanced isolative poles HH, JJ and LL. Thus, inthis instantaneous position, the field magnets 9A provides for a fluxpath between the cores A and cores AA and AA'; between the core A" andthe core AA' and the isolative pole HH; and between the core A' and theisolative pole HH. In this position the main windings 24 arepredominately under the influence of the north field pole and the mainwindings 25 under the influence of the south field pole. Viewing FIG. 2a similar relationship simultaneously exists with the magnets 98 and 9C.Accordingly, at the position illustrated the primary armature poles B, Dand F, due to the induced voltage in the main winding coil 25 arepredominately magnetic south oriented thereby offering an attraction tothe north polarized field poles 9A, 9B and 9C. Simultaneously, theprimary armature poles A, C and E are predominately magnetic northoriented thereby offering a repulsion to the field structure. Also, theprimary armature poles AA, CC and EE are magnetic south oriented thustending to repel the field structure and the primary armature poles BB,DD and FF are north oriented thus, offering an attraction to the southpoles of the field structure. As the field structure rotates, the fieldpoles align with different primary armature poles and cores and the fluxlines cut across other of the main windings at differing degrees. As thefield rotates from the instantaneous position of FIG. 2A, the mainwinding coil 24 comes under the influence of the south field poles dueto the position relationship of the south field poles 9A, 9B and 9C withthe cores of the armature poles BB, DD and FF. Simultaneously, the mainwindings 25 become increasingly influenced by the north primary fieldpoles due to the position relationship of the north field poles 9A, 9Band 9C with the armature poles B, D and F. The degree of influence ofthe primary field poles to the individual generating circuitscontinuously change dependent upon the number of cores of an individualprimary armature pole influenced by a field pole and the relativeposition of the adjacent field pole. Thus, relative rotation of thedescribed field and armature structures produces in rapid successionpulses of alternate polarity in each of the generating circuits. Thecoils of each generating circuit are never idle and every coil iscontinuously under the influence of the flux of a north primary fieldpole, a south primary field pole or both with the degree of influencedependant upon the instantaneous relative position. The electricalcircuits about the first armature assembly are balanced relative to theelectrical circuits about the other armature assembly. Also, thecircuits are magnetically balanced such that each side of the field isalternately under induction-repulsion action with the actionscontinuously aiding each other to continuously aid in advancing therotor.

Analyzing the instantaneous position of the field structure 3 andarmature structure 5 as depicted in FIG. 2 and referring to such time ast a positive voltage is induced in the main coil winding 24.Simultaneously, a positive voltage is induced in the main coil windings25. Also, a positive voltage is induced in the encompassing windings 26and 29 which in turn produces a positive flux in the magnetic circuitsof the armature primary poles B, D and F thereby tending to collapse themagnetic flux induced by the voltage through the main coil winding 25.Simultaneously, a voltage is induced in the encompassing windings 29which tends to aid the armature poles B, D and F. Thus at the instant tthe primary armature poles A, C and E are tending to push or repel therotor assembly 3 while the armature poles B, D and F have established asouth magnetic polarity thereby tending to attract or pull the armatureforward. At the same time, the armature poles BB, DD and FF haveestablished a north polarity due to the interconnection of the main coilwindings 24 thereby tending to attract or pull the south field poles 9A,9B and 9C. As the rotor rotates and the south field poles 9A, 9B and 9Ctend to align with the primary armature poles BB, DD and FF a negativevoltage is induced in the coil windings 24 while the coil windings 25tend to also go negative due'to the influence of the south field poles.Thus, the armature poles A, C and E now appear more analogous to a southpolarized pole while the armature poles B, D and F appear more as northpolarized poles. At the same time armature poles AA, CC and EE reactmore as north polarized poles and the armature poles BB, DD and FFappear more as south polarized poles. As the south field poles of therotor approaches alignment with the armature primary poles BB, DD andFF, the dominant polarization of the poles BB, DD and FF becomes southoriented tending to repel the rotor thereby pushing it forward while thearmature primary poles B, D and F are still south polarity dominatedtending to pull the rotor forward. This push-pull relationship existsuntil the north field poles are in full alignment with the armaturepoles B, D and F at which time the poles A, C and E become southpolarity dominated thereby attracting the rotor towards them while thenow north polarity of the poles B, D and F tends to push the rotorforward. This relationship tends to continue thereby giving a balancedaction and reaction on the rotor. At the same time the encompassingwindings 26 and 29 are arranged such that as the leading edge of thefield poles approach an associated armature primary pole, the signaltends to collapse or oppose the field of the main coil winding andcontinues to do so until the leading edge approaches the center core ofthe pole at which time the encompassing winding switches functionallyand aides the main winding thereby increasing the pushing force. Asillustrated in FIGS. 2A the signal e across the terminals 27 and 28assumes an alternating waveform. Simultaneously, a substantially inphase signal e; is generated across the terminals 31 and 33.

The embodiment diagrammatically illustrated by FIG. 3 and FIG. 4A-4Bfurther illustrates the device I with an alternative connection of themain windings and encompassing windings to provide three generatingcircuits and three output signals. The various main coil windings andencompassing windings are wound about the various cores the same as inFIG. 2 but are interconnected with other windings differently. For thepurpose of simplification of explanation, the structure of FIG. 3carries the same reference designations except for the main windingcoils and encompassing windings. Also, for purposes of clarification thecross members 13 and 14 of the laminations 11 are deleted in FIG. 3.FIGS. 4A and 4B in conjunction diagrammatically illustrate a perspectiveview from the ends of the device 1 with the windings interconnected inaccord with FIG. 3. The structure of FIGS. 3 and 4A and 4B carries threemain winding coils and two encompassing windings. A main coil 41 iswound with portions about the primary armature poles A, C and E all ofwhich are on a common armature assembly of the armature structure. Thecoil 41 is tied in series with an encompassing winding 43. A firstportion of the encompassing winding 43 encompasses the cores A", A", B,B" and isolating pole H; a second portion encompasses the cores BB", BB,CC, CC" and isolating pole II; a third portion encompasses cores C", C",D, D" isolating pole J; a fourth portion encompasses cores DD",-DD", EE,EE and isolating pole KK; a fifth portion encompasses cores E", EE", F,F and isolating pole L; and a sixth portion encompasses cores FF, FF'",AA, AA" and isolating pole HH. The main winding coil 41 and theencompassing winding 43 are tied in series across a pair of outputterminals 45 and 46. A second main winding coil 47 is wound withportions about the primary armature poles B, D, F, AA, CC and EE. Themain winding coil 47 is tied in series across a pair of output terminals49 and 50. The portions of the winding coil 47 are arranged such thatthey include alternate armature poles on opposite armature assemblieswith the included poles on one assembly angularly radially offsetrelative to the included poles on the opposite armature assembly. Athird main winding coil 51 includes portions wound about the primaryarmature poles BB, DD and FF all of which are on a common side of thearmature. The main winding coil 51 is joined in series with anencompassing winding 53. A first portion of the encompassing winding 53encompasses the cores AA, AA", BB, BB" and isolative pole I-Il-I; asecond portion encompasses the cores B, B', C, C and isolative pole I; athird portion encompasses the cores CC, CC,

DD, DD and isolating pole J]; a fourth portion en- I compasses the coresD, D', E,E" and isolating pole K; a fifth portion encompasses the coredEE",EE", FF, FF" and isolating pole LL; and a sixth portion encompassesthe cores F, F A, A and isolating pole G. The main winding coil 51 andencompassing winding 53 are tied inseries across a pair of terminals 55and 57.

Further embodiments of the present invention may include separatecircuits in which at least one circuit is comprised of windingsincluding coils on both armature assemblies such that individual coilsare in cooperation with primary field poles of each magneticdenomination and additional circuits comprised of windings wound oncores on a common side of the armature such that all coils of thecircuit are acted upon by field poles of the same magnetic denomination.For example, FIG. 5, diagrammatically illustrates such a connection. Asin FIG. 3, the various main winding coils and encompassing windings arewound about the various cores similar to that of FIG. 2 but areinterconnected with other windings differently. For purposes ofsimplication of explanation, the structure of FIG. carries the samereference numerals except for the main winding coils and encompassingwindings. The structure of FIG. 5 includes three main winding coils andtwo encompassing windings. A main winding coil 61 is wound with portionsabout primary armature poles A, C and E all of which are on a commonside. The winding coil 61 is tied in series with an encompassing winding63 and an encompassing collapse winding 65 across a pair of terminals 67and 69. A first portion of the encompassing winding 63 encompasses thecores A, A, B, B and isolative pole H; a second portion of the winding63 encompasses the cores C, C', D, D and isolative pole J; and a thirdportion of the winding 63 encompasses the cores E", E, F, F andisolating pole L. A first portion of the encompassing winding 65encompasses the cores B, B, C, C and isolating pole I; a second portionof the winding 65 encompasses the cores D", D, E, E and the isolatingpole K; and a third portion of the winding 65 encompasses the cores F",F, A, A and the isolating pole G. A second main winding 71 is wound withportions about each of the primary armature poles B, D, F, AA, CC and EEand across a pair of terminals 72 and 73. A third main winding 75 iswould with portions about the primary armature poles BB, DD and FF allof which are on the same side. The winding 75 is tied in series with anencompassing winding 77 and an encompassing winding 79 all tied inseries across a pair of terminals 81 and 83. A first portion of theencompassing winding 77 encompasses the cores AA", A', BB, BB andisolating pole HH; a second portion encompasses the cores CC, CC, DD, DDand isolating pole JJ; and a third portion encompasses the cores EE,EE', FF, FF and isolating pole LL. A first portion of the encompassingwinding 79 encompasses the .cores BB", BB, CC, CC and isolating pole II;a second portion encompasses the cores DD, DD', EE', EE and isolatingpole KK; and a third portion encompasses the cores FF", FF, AA, AA" andthe isolating pole GG.

Alternators in accord with the teachings of the present invention may beconstructed to accommodate various requirements. The structure mayinclude a plurality of individual circuits. The number of field polesand armature poles may be varied, the placement of the winding portionsof individual circuits relative to the position of winding portions ofother circuits may be varied, the rotor may be rotated in eitherdirection and the speed of rotation may be varied. These featuresprovide for versatile use of operation on generating of electricalsignals.

I claim:

1. An improved electromechanical energy conversion device comprising, incombination:

a magnetic field structure having at least one magnetically northdenominated field pole and a corresponding magnetically southdenominated field pole, said north and south poles being displacedaxially relative to one another along a longitudinal axis, each northfield pole being interconnected in common with an associated south fieldpole to establish a common magnetic path intermediate the interconnectednorth field pole and associated south field pole;

an armature structure having a first armature assembly adjacent thenorth field poles and a second armature assembly adjacent the southfield poles, the armature assemblies being movable relative to the fieldstructure along relative paths of travel adjacent to each of said northfield poles and each of said south field poles, the armature structureincluding a plurality of individual magnetic circuits interconnectingsaid first and secondarmature assemblies and terminating at oppositeterminal ends adjacent to the relative paths of travel of the fieldstructure to establish armature cores adjacent to the relative paths oftravel of said north and south field poles, each of said magneticcircuits forming at least in part a primary armature pole at said firstarmature assembly and at least in part a primary armature pole at saidsecond armature assembly, the armature cores at opposite terminal endsof common magnetic circuits of at least some of the magnetic circuitsbeing laterally off-set relative to one another about said paths oftravel, and each armature pole adjacent one of said relative paths oftravel is at least in part connected in common to the magnetic circuitsof a plurality of armature poles adjacent the other relative path oftravel; and

first coil means encompassing armature cores of the first armatureassembly to establish armature poles of the first armature assembly,said firstcoil means including a first plurality of main energizingwinding coil portions electrically joined in a first common circuit witheach of said first plurality of main energizing winding coil portionswound about alternate armature poles of said first armature assembly;second coil means encompassing armature cores of the second armatureassembly to establish armature poles of the second armature assembly,said second coil means including a second plurality of main energizingwinding coil portions electrically joined in a second common circuitwith each of said second plurality of main energizing winding coilportions would about alternate armature poles of said second armatureassembly; and a third coil means having a third plurality of mainenergizing winding coil portions electrically joined in a third commoncircuit, each of said third energizing winding coil portions wound aboutalternate armature poles of at least one of the armature assemblies.

2. The device of claim 1 further including a first encompassing windingcoil with coil portions wound 5 about primary armature poles with eachportion of said winding coil portions of said first encompassing wind-3. The device of claim 2 including a second encompassing winding coilwith coil portions .wound about primary armature poles with eachencompassing winding coil portion of said second encompassing windingcoil encompassing at least part of adjacent primary ar- 5 mature polesof the other of said armature assemblies.

4. The device of claim 2 in which said encompassing intermediate each ofthe field assemblies and each of the armature assemblies; each of thearmature assemblies including a plurality of radially spaced cores ofmagnetizable material along the associated orbits of relative rotation,each core of the first armature assembly being joined in a commonmagnetic circuit with at least one of the cores of the second armatureassembly and at least two generating circuits each having a plurality ofmain winding coil portions electrically joined in common, each ofsaidmain winding coil portions of each generating circuit being woundabout a plurality of individual of said cores to form a primary armaturepole of a width substantially equal to the width of the field poles andwith a shade 6. The device of claim 5 in which the magnetic circuitmeans establishes a plurality of individual cores about each armatureassembly with each core terminating adjacent one of said relative pathsof travel, and a magnetic insulator material intermediate adjacentcores.

7. The device of claim 6 in which each primary armature pole includes aplurality of individual cores encompassed by one portion of one of saidenergizing coils.

8. The device of claim 7 in which each of said primary armature polesincludes a shade pole.

9. The device of claim 6 in which each isolating pole about one armatureassembly is at least in part magnetically common to at least one of saidprimary armature poles about the other armature assembly.

10. The device of claim 9 in which each core of each primary armaturepole is encompassed by at least one portion of one of said energizingwinding coil portions.

11. The device of claim 10 in which each primary armature pole isencompassed in part by at least one portion of each of two encompassingwinding coil portions of different electrical circuits. I

. 12. An alternator comprising, in combination:

a magnetic field structure having a first field pole as- 4O sembly of-'north polarity denomination and a second field pole assembly of southpolarity I denomination, said second field pole assembly being axiallydisplaced from said first field pole assembly along'an axis of rotation,the field poles of one polarity denomination being displaced radiallyrelative to the field poles of the other denomination;

an armature structure having a first armature assembly adjacent thenorth denominated field assembly and a second armature assembly adjacentthe south denominated fieldassembly, said first and second armatureassemblies axially displaced from each other along said axis ofrotation;

the field structure and the armature structure being rotatable relativeto one another about said axis of rotation and establishing orbits ofrelative rotation pole positioned intermediate two of the individualcores of each of said primary armature poles, the main winding portionsof the same generating circuit being radially spaced from each otheralong the orbits of relative rotation and withadjac'eht main windingcoil portions about the orbit paths being joined to a difierent one ofsaid generating circuits; at least one of said generating circuitsincluding main winding coil portions wound about separate coresof thefirst and of the second arinature assemblies with each main winding coilp'ortion radially. ofl'set about theaxis of rotation relative toothermain winding coil portionsandin. which cores associated with eachof said primary armature poles of one of the armature assemblies is atleast in part magnetically interconnected with primary armature poles ofthe other of the armature assemblies; and at least one of-the generating.circuits including an encompassing winding coil 1 having a plurality ofencompassing coil portions with each encompassing winding coil portionwound about a plurality of cores including cores of adjacent primaryarmature poles.

13. The alternator of claim 12 in which each field as sembly includes aplurality of angularly equi-spaced pole faces.

14. The alternator of claim- 13 in which the pole pieces of the oppositefield pole assembly are angularly displaced relative to each other alongthe orbits'of rela-. tive rotation.

15. The alternator of claim 14 in which the main winding coil portionsof each main winding of each armature assembly are symmetrically d'associated asrmature assembly.

16. The alternator of claim 15 in which the encompassing winding coilportions of each encompassing winding of each armature assembly aresymmetrically displaced along the associated armature assembly.

17. The alternator of claim 16 in which each primary encompassingwinding coils.

I i I i placed about the J UNR'EED STATES PATENT GEE-ICE-xwwvnrn-flfi'g' on. p T, a bisiuiriCAiE Q1 CORiuL' PiGN Potent x0.3,728,564 Dated Agril 17, 1973 John DeRugeris Column 1, line 19, change"magnetic" to --magnet--; I

AAII Column 7, line 26, change I n to ,;AA|

Column 11, line 40, change "would" to -wound. and

Column 12, line 54, change "would" to --wound--.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of January 1971 I (SEAL) Attest: I g YEDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. RENE D. TEGTMEYER Attesting Officer ActingCommissioner of Patents STATES PATENT ()FHCES "FY2 "QTY"? I Y r .1 n.\Jiij IL A. I; A" 1 @A CORJQLAL 354mm: No. 3,728,564 Dated April l7 1973John DeRugeris I error appears the above-identified patent ers Patentare hereby corrected as shownv below:

Column 1, line 19, change "magnetic" to magnet--;-

I i Column 7, line 26, change 1 AA t A' Column ll, line 40, change"would" to --wound-; and

Column 12, line 54, change "would" to --wound.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of January 197A.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. RENE D. TEG'I'l JIEYER Attesting Officer ActingCommissioner of Patents

1. An improved electromechanical energy conversion device comprising, incombination: a magnetic field structure having at least one magneticallynorth denominated field pole and a corresponding magnetically southdenominated field pole, said north and south poles being displacedaxially relative to one another along a longitudinal axis, each northfield pole being interconnected in common with an associated south fieldpole to establish a common magnetic path intermediate the interconnectednorth field pole and associated south field pole; an armature structurehaving a first armature assembly adjacent the north field poles and asecond armature assembly adjacent the south field poles, the armatureassemblies being movable relative to the field structure along relativepaths of travel adjacent to each of said north field poles and each ofsaid south field poles, the armature structure including a plurality ofindividual magnetic circuits interconnecting said first and secondarmature assemblies and terminating at opposite terminal ends adjacentto the relative paths of travel of the field structure to establisharmature cores adjacent to the relative paths of travel of said northand south field poles, each of said magnetic circuits forming at leastin part a primary armature pole at said first armature assembly and atleast in part a primary armature pole at said second armature assembly,the armature cores at opposite terminal ends of common magnetic circuitsof at least some of the magnetic circuits being laterally off-setrelative to one another about said paths of travel, and each armaturepole adjacent one of said relative paths of travel is at least in partconnected in common to the magnetic circuits of a plurality of armaturepoles adjacent the other relative path of travel; and first coil meansencompassing armature cores of the first armature assembly to establisharmature poles of the first armature assembly, said first coil meansincluding a first plurality of main energizing winding coil portionselectrically joined in a first common circuit with each of said firstplurality of main energizing winding coil portions wound about alternatearmature poles of said first armature assembly; second coil meansencompassing armature cores of the second armature assembly to establisharmature poles of the second armature assembly, said second coil meansincluding a second plurality of main energizing winding coil portionselectrically joined in a second common circuit with each of said secondplurality of main energizing winding coil portions wound about alternatearmature poles of said second armature assembly; and a third coil meanshaving a third plurality of main energizing winding coil portionselectrically joined in a third common circuit, each of said thirdenergizing winding coil portions wound about alternate armature poles ofat least one of the armature assemblies.
 2. The device of claim 1further including a first encompassing winding coil with coil portionswound about primary armature poles with each portion of said firstencompassing winding coil portion encompassing at least part of adjacentprimary armature poles of at least one of said armature assemblies. 3.The device of claim 2 including a second encompassing winding coil withcoil portions wound about primary armature poles with each encompassingwinding coil portion of said second encompassing winding coilencompassing at least part of adjacent primary armature poles of theother of said armature assemblies.
 4. The device of claim 2 in whichsaid encompassing winding coil portions of said first encompassingwinding coil are electrically joined in common to said first commoncircuit.
 5. The device of claim 4 further including a plurality ofisolating poles with one of each of said isolating poles positionedintermediate each of two adjacent primary armature poles of each of saidfirst and second armature assemblies.
 6. The device of claim 5 in whichthe magnetic circuit means establishes a plurality of individual coresabout each armature assembly with each core terminating adjacent one ofsaid relative paths of travel, and a magnetic insulator materialintermediate adjacent cores.
 7. The device of claim 6 in which eachprimary armature pole iNcludes a plurality of individual coresencompassed by one portion of one of said energizing coils.
 8. Thedevice of claim 7 in which each of said primary armature poles includesa shade pole.
 9. The device of claim 6 in which each isolating poleabout one armature assembly is at least in part magnetically common toat least one of said primary armature poles about the other armatureassembly.
 10. The device of claim 9 in which each core of each primaryarmature pole is encompassed by at least one portion of one of saidenergizing winding coil portions.
 11. The device of claim 10 in whicheach primary armature pole is encompassed in part by at least oneportion of each of two encompassing winding coil portions of differentelectrical circuits.
 12. An alternator comprising, in combination: amagnetic field structure having a first field pole assembly of northpolarity denomination and a second field pole assembly of south polaritydenomination, said second field pole assembly being axially displacedfrom said first field pole assembly along an axis of rotation, the fieldpoles of one polarity denomination being displaced radially relative tothe field poles of the other denomination; an armature structure havinga first armature assembly adjacent the north denominated field assemblyand a second armature assembly adjacent the south denominated fieldassembly, said first and second armature assemblies axially displacedfrom each other along said axis of rotation; the field structure and thearmature structure being rotatable relative to one another about saidaxis of rotation and establishing orbits of relative rotationintermediate each of the field assemblies and each of the armatureassemblies; each of the armature assemblies including a plurality ofradially spaced cores of magnetizable material along the associatedorbits of relative rotation, each core of the first armature assemblybeing joined in a common magnetic circuit with at least one of the coresof the second armature assembly; and at least two generating circuitseach having a plurality of main winding coil portions electricallyjoined in common, each of said main winding coil portions of eachgenerating circuit being wound about a plurality of individual of saidcores to form a primary armature pole of a width substantially equal tothe width of the field poles and with a shade pole positionedintermediate two of the individual cores of each of said primaryarmature poles, the main winding portions of the same generating circuitbeing radially spaced from each other along the orbits of relativerotation and with adjacent main winding coil portions about the orbitpaths being joined to a different one of said generating circuits; atleast one of said generating circuits including main winding coilportions wound about separate cores of the first and of the secondarmature assemblies with each main winding coil portion radially offsetabout the axis of rotation relative to other main winding coil portionsand in which cores associated with each of said primary armature polesof one of the armature assemblies is at least in part magneticallyinterconnected with primary armature poles of the other of the armatureassemblies; and at least one of the generating circuits including anencompassing winding coil having a plurality of encompassing coilportions with each encompassing winding coil portion wound about aplurality of cores including cores of adjacent primary armature poles.13. The alternator of claim 12 in which each field assembly includes aplurality of angularly equi-spaced pole faces.
 14. The alternator ofclaim 13 in which the pole pieces of the opposite field pole assemblyare angularly displaced relative to each other along the orbits ofrelative rotation.
 15. The alternator of claim 14 in which the mainwinding coil portions of each main winding of each armature assembly aresymmetrically displaced about the associated asrmature assembly.
 16. ThealterNator of claim 15 in which the encompassing winding coil portionsof each encompassing winding of each armature assembly are symmetricallydisplaced along the associated armature assembly.
 17. The alternator ofclaim 16 in which each primary armature pole supports portions of atleast two separate encompassing winding coils.